Behind MLA
Madeleine L. Althoff
Artist Bio
Born in St. Paul, Minnesota. Althoff was first exposed to art at a young age by partaking in the free Saturday events at the Walker Art Museum.
Introduced to ceramics in High School and went on to major in Studio Art in Practice during her undergrad. Althoff created 58 pieces for her Senior Thesis display, earning honors for her dedication and execution. Afterwards, she completed a residency at the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio where she displayed a solo exhibition titled Lady of the House. Turning the gallery into a 15th century sitting room.
Today, Madeleine continues her pursuit of connecting people to their ancestors through design and imagery back in her home state of Minnesota. Pursuing a Masters degree in Art History and Certificate in Museum Studies through St. Thomas University of Minnesota
In total Althoff has been a part of 53 Juried shows, 5 Group shows, and 2 Solo shows. Receiving two 1st Place awards (Ceramics and Sculpture), 2nd Place in Ceramics, 3rd Place in Ceramics, a Special Award, and a Honorable Mention in the past 10 years.
Artist Statement
The inspiration for my work comes from heritage and ancestry. The processes I use for creating work are laborious. Starting by researching textiles and art relevant to the project. I use porcelain in combination with velvet jet-black underglaze. Instead of painting the designs onto my pieces, I use sgraffito to carve the designs into place. I believe this adds more dimension to my work. This process of research, transfer, and alteration allows me to individualize each design. Then, to accentuate the appeal, a gold luster is added to the edge and rim.
When viewing my work, the viewer sees sophistication and elegance, then, while looking deeper, they see that it is a self-portrait… the intertwining of family through generations…just as the United States has resulted in the intersection of cultures, as my own ancestry has come together to create who I am as a person and artist.
Awards:
30th Arts North International 2025 - Hopkins, Mn
Blomma With Tulie
3rd Place Ceramics
Special Award - In Memory of Cari Rock
About Me
Born in Minnesota
Graduate of Cornell College, BSS in Studio Art, awarded Distinction, Minor in Art History
Studying at University of St. Thomas: Masters degree in Art History and Certificate in Museum Studies
Ceramic Instructor at White Bear Center for the Arts
Past Shows and Competitions
MORNINGWARE: Breakfast & Brunch NY, NY
Earth and Fire: A Ceramics Show Arizona
30th Arts North International 2025 Hopkins, Mn
11th Annual Curry/Bower Exhibit Bedford, VA
White Bear Center for the Arts Instructor Showcase White Bear, MN
38th Annual Northern National Art Competition Rhinelander, WI
Creative Activities: Minnesota State Fair Saint Paul, MN
October National 2025 Illinois
13th Annual National Juried Exhibition Bower Center for the Arts, VA
46th Annual National Juried Art Show North Carolina
2025
2024
Black, White or Grey California
Wish Art The Hennepin Theater Trust, Minneapolis, Mn
Nature Homage: A Juried National Exhibition of Animal and Insect Artworks d’Art Center, VA
Open Call 2024 Blue Oaks Arts’ Red Bluff Art Gallery, CA
2024 - All Things Considered Las Laguna Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
Hope 2024 Gallerium Art Exhibitions
Pint Size Transmission Gallery, Stockton, CA
VMRC Juried Art Exhibition 2024 Park Gables Gallery, VA
Gilpin Arts 77th Annual Juried Art Show 2024 Central City, CO
Sculpture at the Kavanagh Fine Line Creative Arts Center, St. Charles, IL
37th September Competition Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, LA
The Fall Art Show 2024, Lake Granbury Art Association, Shanley House Gallery, TX
Southern Miss Ceramics National, The University of Southern Mississippi, Museum of Art, MS
Cups Of Contemplation, The University of Southern Mississippi, Gallery of Art and Design, Cup Show, MS
Small Works: An Element of Celebration! Sedona Arts Center, Sedona, AZ
2023
9th Annual Edna Curry/John Bower Exhibition Bedford, VA
19th Annual Bryn Du Art Show Bryn Du Mansion, Granville, OH
Lady of the House Chadima Gallery, Cedar Rapids, IA
9th Annual Dirty South Cup Show Alexandria, LA
11th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Bower Center for the Arts, Bedford, VA
112th Annual Juried Exhibition, Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, Mystic, CT
OPEN THEME, 2023 - Online Exhibition, Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
From the Earth, Kavanagh Gallery, St. Charles, IL
Gilpin Arts 76th Annual Juried Art Show, Gilpin Art Gallery, Central City, CO
August Group Art Show, Jones Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2023 Great Northern Art Explosion, Artisan Village, Grayling, MI
September Group Art Show, Jones Gallery, Kansas City, MO
Inspired By..., The Art Garage, Green Bay, WI
36th September Competition, Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, LA
Functional Fall: A Seat At The Table, Port Chester, New York
The Fall Art Show 2023, Shanley House Gallery, Granbury, TX
Noir, Pour-d, Rockford, MI
Clay Cup VI, George Caleb Bingham Gallery, University of Missouri
November Group Art Show, Jones Gallery, Kansas City, MO
Emergence, Connecticut Academy Of Fine Arts, Connecticut
2023 - Small Works - BIG TALENT, Online
2023 Fall Salon, Logan Fine Art Gallery, Logan, Utah
8th Annual 5x5x5 Show, River Oaks Arts Center, Alexandria, LA
Traditions, Pour-d, Rockford, MI
December Group Art Show, Jones Gallery, Kansas City, MO
Noel Noir, Pennsylvania
2022
2022 Fall Salon Logan Fine Art, Logan, UT
Creating in Community The Janalyn Hanson White Gallery, Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa Exhibited XXXVII Polk County Heritage Gallery, Des Moines, IA
Resident Artist Showcase Iowa Ceramics Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
Tower of Strength on the Old Farmstead Peter Paul-Luce Gallery, Mount Vernon, IA
